Qima Coffee and RD2 Vision Publish Scientific Paper To ClarifyConfusion on Yemeni Coffee “Variety” Names
The international journal of Agronomy has published a critical paper that explores and demystifies the much-discussed relationship between local names of Yemeni Coffee trees and their genetic identities.
For Immediate Release: 30th August 2022
(London, UK) - Following on from the publication of the groundbreaking study in 2021 on the discovery of Yemenia, a new genetic group of Coffea Arabica, Qima Coffee has partnered with RD2 Vision, Lavazza Foundation and Qima Foundation to release a new scientific paper investigating the validity of using local Yemeni coffee names to describe coffee “varieties”. The study investigated the relationship between local coffee “variety” names used by farmers and their true genetic identity. It established that there exists no correlation between local names and their respective genetic backgrounds.
The use of local Yemeni coffees names to describe "varieties" has become commonplace
The Yemeni coffee sector has for decades relied on local (or vernacular) names to describe coffee trees and types. Such names include Udaini, Jaadi, Tufahi, Jufaini, Dawairi and so on. Due to their widespread use, and in the absence of any scientific validation, these local names have over the years been assumed to represent genetic varieties, and their use has in fact become synonymous with variety names. This assumption has serious implications for Yemeni coffee. In the market, it causes confusion for consumers for whom variety names are a critical component of traceability and demand market premiums. Beyond the market, the assumption also has a significant impact in Yemen itself, where Yemeni farmers make planting decisions and acquire new seedlings based on local names. Investigating the assumption that local names represent varieties was therefore of critical importance both to support Yemeni coffee farmers generating sustainable livelihoods and to protect Yemeni coffee’s integrity, traceability and value in the international markets.
The study covered 148 coffee farms across Yemen’s major coffee growing regions in order to develop a representative picture of Yemen’s coffee lands. Farmers indicated the local names they used to describe the coffee trees, and these very same coffees underwent DNA fingerprinting to identify their genetic background. Some of the most popular names referenced included Udaini, Tufahi and Dawairi. The findings established that there was no correlation between local names and genetics, thereby establishing that local names do not represent varieties. The results also showed a clear geographic pattern for the local names referenced, indicating that farmers from different regions may in fact use different names to describe coffee trees. Finally the study recommended that variety trials would be a critical next step for Yemen’s coffee seed sector to develop a robust genetic and physical description of Yemeni coffee varieties, and to go on to explore the merits and attributes of Yemen’s rich genetic diversity.
Some of the most popular names referenced included Udaini, Tufahi and Dawairi. Taking Udaini as an example, out of all the coffees described by farmers as "Udaini", 56% were Yemenia, 23% were Typica Bourbon, and 21% were SL34.
Lead author Dr Christophe Montagnon, CEO of RD2 Vision states: “This study represents a fundamental building block to establishing an effective seed sector for Yemen’s coffee industry. Yemeni coffee farmers can now make more informed decisions on planting new trees. This is especially important at a time when Yemen’s coffee farmers are being encouraged to replace other crops with coffee trees. If coffee farmers are relying on local names for their planting decisions, they are at significant risk of making planting decisions that do not fulfill their needs - with potentially serious long term financial implications for farm performance and household livelihoods.”
Faris Sheibani, CEO & Founder of Qima Coffee adds “The use of local names has been a contentious issue in Yemeni coffee circles. There’s a lot of cultural heritage and pride attached to the various names so the topic needs to be approached with caution and sensitivity. In this study we just wanted a scientific answer to the simple question “do these local names represent varieties?”. And the answer from this study was a clear and unequivocal no. This is an extremely important finding because it has become commonplace to see Udaini or Tufahi (or other names) being presented as varieties on Yemeni coffee products, with serious implications. Why is this such a problem? Well first of all, there’s a serious element of potential misleading advertising and marketing. We know consumers pay premiums for exotic coffee varieties, and if consumers are paying premiums for “varieties” that turn out not to even be varieties, we risk losing significant consumer confidence in Yemeni coffees. Secondly, and perhaps more concerningly, is the fact that many Yemeni farmers are also under the impression that these local names represent varieties, with agronomic merits, and go on to make planting decisions on the basis of these names, only to discover 4 years later that the trees are not performing as desired. This study and its results can have a transformative impact on Yemeni coffee, both within and outside of Yemen”
The study was funded by Lavazza Foundation and Qima Foundation, as part of a wider collaboration between the two organizations on a multi-year coffee development programme, which recently completed its first phase.
Veronica Rossi, Sustainability Manager at Lavazza Foundation commented on the importance of this study “Lavazza Foundation is very proud to have been able to contribute to the realization of this project and this study. Working with and for coffee farmers is our main mission and we are really happy to now see Yemeni coffee farmers having the opportunity to make better planting decisions, thanks to the results of this work”
The study was conducted as part of Qima Coffee’s R&D programme in coffee agronomy and genetics. The company is now working on future research collaborations with a focus on how genetics can play a role in tackling climate change threats facing the global coffee farming community.
The scientific paper can be accessed via this link: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/8/1970